StatusThe informal comment period for the Project 2020-04
Modifications to CIP-012 Standard Authorization Request(SAR), has been extended
and is now open through 8 p.m. Eastern, Thursday, June 11, 2020. Additionally, nominations are being sought for SAR drafting team members through 8 p.m. Eastern, Thursday, June 11, 2020..

BackgroundIn Order No. 866, FERC stated that “maintaining the availability of communication networks and data should include provisions for incident recovery and continuity of operations in a responsible entity's compliance plan." FERC recognized that the redundancy of communication links cannot always be guaranteed, and acknowledged there should be plans for both recovery of compromised communication links and use of backup communication capability. The proposed scope of this project would entail modifications to CIP-012 – Communications between Control Centers.

Purpose/IndustryThe purpose of this project is to address a directive issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in Order No. 866 to develop modifications to the CIP Reliability Standards to require protections regarding the availability of communication links and data communicated between the bulk electric system Control Centers.